Internet Sector Table Struck
The Western Regional Enterprise Network (Western REN), along with the Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce and municipal leaders have recently struck a sector table looking into the lack of high-speed internet in rural Tri-County areas.
Chair of the Rural Internet Sector Table, Mike Innis says, “I became involved in this group because of my previous experiences with this issue back in 2012. I was living and trying to run a business on the North Mountain, outside of Kentville in Kings County with only Dial-up Access, so I have a particular insight into the challenges.”
The sector table had been eagerly awaiting the release of a report commissioned by provincial government into possible solutions to the rural internet issue. The report, released last Monday, clearly states that “market forces alone will not ensure that rural communities have access to the educational and economic benefits that broadband internet services can provide”. Both the federal and provincial governments have allocated budget dollars to improving internet access for rural communities.
The group’s task starts with locating Internet dead zones and underserved areas in the Tri-Counties. With that information, the Sector Table can identify regions where solutions could be implemented quickly, as well as those regions that will require larger investments to obtain the same access.
CEO of the Western REN, Angélique LeBlanc points out, “The lack of high-speed internet represents a real barrier to economic growth and investment. We must collaborate with all levels of government and private sector service providers to bring these areas up to current technological standards.”
The Internet Sector Table would like to ask the public's assistance in this task. If you live in Digby or Yarmouth counties, please contact the Western REN with your civic address if you have no access to high speed or you feel that you are under serviced. This information will help inform the next steps of the work needed in the region.
All personal information will be held in confidence and only general results will be released. Send to erolston@westernren.ca.
For questions, please contact;
Erika Rolston